THE BIRDS OF HELIGOLAND 575 



382. — Black-throated Diver [Polartaucher]. 



COLYMBUS ARCTICUS, Linn. 



Heligolandish name same as preceding. 

 Eudijtes arcticus. Nuumann, xii. 418. 



Black-throated Diver. Dresser, viii. 615. 

 Plongeon a gorge noire. Temminck, Manuel, ii. 913, iv. 571. 



In its summer plumage this bird, though smaller, is in beauty 

 not inferior to the preceding. I have only once obtained an 

 example of it in this stage, nor has a second been either shot or 

 observed within my experience. It, however, occurs pretty often 

 during the winter months, being then also more or less frequently 

 shot. It prefers fishing in the shallow water near the sand-island, 

 and it is very good sport to drive the bird gi-adually into shallower 

 water. Its perplexity at seeing the distance between itself and the 

 boat growing less each time it rises to the surface, is then distinctly 

 visible. As the depth of water into which the bird is driven 

 diminishes, the intervals during which it remains below the surface 

 grow shorter and shorter ; one takes advantage of this by pulling 

 up with all one's might as close as possible, and firing as soon as 

 the bird reappears on the surface. The pursuit must, however, be 

 carried on with great caution and coolness. One must not rush 

 upon the bird too eagerly when it reappears on the surface, but 

 remain lying quietlj' on one's oars, and ti'y to appear as though 

 one were not taking any notice of it whatever ; for if it sees 

 that it is being pursued with undue haste, it will take a swift and 

 determined dive, shooting away right underneath the boat, and 

 generally not reappearing on the surface until a good distance out to 

 sea. In such a case all further pursuit is useless; similarly, after one 

 has missed the bird, all idea of further sport may be relinquished. 



This Diver breeds on the Hebrides, in the north of Scotland, 

 Scandinavia, throughout northern Asia, and also in Arctic America. 



383.— Red-throated Diver [Kothkehliger Seetaucher]. 



COLYMBUS SEPTENTRIONALIS, Linn. 



Hebgolandish : Eoad-halssed ^"k-wax-^n — Red-throated Diver. 



Eudytes septentrionalis. Naumann, xii. 434. 



Red-throated Diver. Dresser, viii. 621. 



Plongeon a gorge rouge. Temminck, Manuel, ii. 916, iv. 572. 



This, the smallest of the three species, is, unlike the preceding 

 two species, of very common occurrence on the island, being shot very 

 frequently both during the spring migration and on its return passage 



